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By John Helmer in Moscow Icebreaking is the key to the expansion of energy and mineral shipments in the Arctic. It is a little early for Russia to begin producing bananas and other soft, sun-dependent commodities. But depending on which global warming forecast you read, there may come a time when it will be cost-efficient […]

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By John Helmer in Moscow Norilsk/BHP Billiton “alliance for development of huge Russian nickel deposit raises some questions. Norilsk Nickel, Russia’s leading mining company, has announced that it has won a regional auction for exploration and mining rights to Russia’s largest undeveloped nickel prospect. The Iisko-Tagulsk deposit, located in the Irkutsk region of southeastern Siberia, […]

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By John Helmer in Moscow Russia’s new parliament reopens debate on proposed limits on foreign mining. A new round of debate on proposals to regulate access by foreign mining companies to the Russian resource sector has begun, this time with a set of legislative amendments that were submitted to the newly elected State Duma last […]

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By John Helmer in Moscow Nesis considers chrome sell-out in the most lucrative, short mining career on record A press leak in Moscow on Monday, followed by a confirming announcement from Mechel, the Russian stainless steel producer, have indicated that Igor Zyuzin, Mechel’s controlling shareholder, is trying to buy out chrome producer Oriel Resources, owned […]

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By John Helmer in Moscow Potanin’s cash and shares deal puts Deripaska in the hole. Just two things are remembered about King Canute, a Viking who invaded England in 1013. One is that he had a large hooked nose. The other is that he tried to command the sea tide not to roll into shore. […]

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By John Helmer in Moscow Drilling into SA diplomatic communiqués comes up empty for manganese and platinum An unusual meeting of South African (SA) and Russian government ministers two weeks ago in Moscow has triggered recriminations in Pretoria and Moscow. These follow the refusal of SA officials to clarify an upbeat description of co-operation in […]

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By John Helmer in Moscow RUSSIAN government officials have revealed that relations with SA are in crisis, after cancellation by Pretoria of the two largest commercial agreements ever negotiated between the countries. The crisis directly affects SA government plans for nuclear energy to increase Eskom’s power supply, and for SA military and civilian satellite communications. […]